How is ascariasis transmitted?

How is ascariasis transmitted?

Ascariasis spreads through hand-to-mouth contact — when a person touches and swallows fertilized Ascaris eggs.

In places that lack adequate sanitation, people infected with ascariasis may defecate (poop) outside. In some areas, people use human feces as fertilizer. Contaminated feces containing Ascaris eggs can lie in fields, streets and yards. The eggs can survive extreme temperature and humidity, often for years.

People may swallow the tiny eggs when they:

• Touch contaminated soil and then put their hands in or near their mouths.
• Eat fruits and vegetables grown in the infected soil without washing, peeling and cooking the produce.